International Trade Policy and Class Dynamics in South Africa

Reveals key aspects of class politics in South Africa
Contributes to the comparative analysis of trade policy
Applies a historical materialist perspective to the study of political economy

This book provides an innovative perspective on class dynamics in South Africa, focusing specifically on how different interests have shaped economic and trade policy. As an emerging market, South African political and economic actions are subject to the attention of international trade policy. Claar provides an in-depth class analysis of the contradictory negotiation processes that occurred between South Africa and the European Union on Economic-Partnership Agreements (EPA), examining the divergent roles played by the political and economic elite, and the working class. The author considers their relationships with the new global trade agenda, as well as their differing standpoints on the EPA.

Autor_in

is post-doc researcher at the Working Group Globalization & Politics at the University of Kassel and Senior Policy Advisor for Teacher Education at the German Education Union, Germany. Alongside a previous position as Researcher in the Department of Political Science at the University of Kassel, she worked as a Research Associate at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Her research interests include capitalism, emerging markets, development and trade, class analysis and the postcolonial state.